Hypothermia: Self-Recovery and Survivalby Robert Finlay of Kayak Lake Mead

This article is about solo kayaking in cold water and being able to recover and survive from hypothermia when

you are alone without help. If you're paddling or adventuring alone you MUST know and be honest with

yourself.

Important Note: This article is vital to survival. This article is a result of my personal battles of suffering and

learning to recover from hypothermia in the wilderness, by myself, and getting on with my paddle adventure.

Adventure race sidebar: Adventure racers and adventure race teams, if you want to learn how to finish

every race and not become a DNF (did not finish) statistic... READ THIS ARTICLE!

To know your susceptibilities to cold is key. To know how to prepare for a cold water kayak trip is key. Being

able to recognize the signs that you are getting hypothermic is key. AND being able to recover by yourself in

absolutely mandatory.

A typical scenario: I am alone. I am kayaking in high winds, 30 to 35 knots with gusts to whatever, on a 15

mile leg that is "close to the wind", wind and waves right at me. The water temperature is low 50's F. The air

temp is about the same. I am going to have to deal with cold, wet, and wind.

My water bladder tube is coming up through my spray skirt and attached to my PFD with the nipple only

inches from my mouth, so I am drinking and staying hydrated. Food is harder, the waves have at least "98%

of my attention". But, I have in a couple of bike bottles a mix of Hammer Nutrition's "Sustained Energy" and

"Perpetuem", one is on my forward deck and one is in the hull between my legs. That is a "kick ass" mix by

the way.

So, I am eating, but probably not enough. I have energy bars in my paddle jacket, but it is a lot of trouble

getting to them and unwrapping the darn things. I also have in my paddle jacket a sandwich bag of raisins and

nuts, but I've only taken two or three dips into that, again eating is not easy, but I am trying, because I know

the importance of staying fueled.

I have been exercising hard, staying hydrated, and eating a little. I am near the end of my leg. I have taken on a

little water through my hatches, I know this because my kayak seems heavy and low in the water. But I'm

almost there.

I beach up and start to set up camp, tent first. I am shivering. About halfway through the project of getting the

tent set up I am shivering so hard I am not functioning, "sh....t". No real problems though. In my forward

compartment, the first thing that is reachable is my handy dandy "hypothermia self-recovery system". I go and

get it.

It is a dry bag containing the items I need to stay alive, recover from hypothermia, get a good night's rest, and

paddle some more in the morning.

Hypothermia self-recovery system list:

Listed in the order of importance and packed so item #1(most important) comes out first.

1) Shelter - An all weather space blanket (this is like a tarp but with a reflective side) taped so that the reflective side is in and so that it goes over my head with a breath hole for my mouth and nose. I can sit on something or squat and I am sheltered. More info on this space blanket here.

2) Heat Source - A ZIP-LOC bag with one 44 hour, 3 wick "NUWICK" candle. This is a can of pure

happiness. It puts out the BTU's.

3) Inside the can waterproof matches and in the ZIP-LOC are more matches in a waterproof container and a

wind proof lighter and 2 regular lighters. I will get that candle lit.

4) 1 ea fleece hat.

5) 1 ea polypropylene top.

6) 1 ea fleece top.

7) 1 ea polypropylene pants.

8) 1pr wool socks.

9) 1pr fleece gloves.

10) 1 ea waterproof rain parka.

11) Another ZIP-LOC with 6 ea "Mega Warmer" chemical heat treats AND more lighters AND a box of "Fire

Starters", little matches / kindling that make starting an emergency fire easy to get going AND a smaller